The North Face: Senior Technical Designer, Apparel

VF Corporation • Denver, CO

4d • $103,680 - $129,600

About The Position

The Senior Technical Designer, Apparel works under the guidance of Product Development senior leadership to execute department initiatives and lead fit execution for complex products, high-profile initiatives, and strategic business categories. The role independently manages challenging fit projects, influences fit standards and best practices across the organization, and serves as the primary escalation point for complex fit, sizing, grading, and construction issues.

The position partners with Design, Standards, Product Development, Sourcing, vendors, and manufacturers to translate fit intent into 3D and physical prototype samples. It ensures proportions, measurements, pattern execution, construction, and graded-size expectations meet or exceed quality, performance, and consumer-comfort standards. The Senior Technical Designer owns fit specifications, measurement standards, fit comments and corrections, size-set reviews, style files, records, samples, and production-ready fit documentation for assigned products and programs. The role also provides expert guidance on fit intent, size consistency, pattern execution, grading, construction impact, and technical requirements, mentors other fit specialists, supports process improvements, and travels seasonally to overseas manufacturers.

Requirements

• Degree in Technical Design, Apparel Design, Patternmaking, Grading, Product Development, or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in apparel technical design, fit, patternmaking, grading, or complex category work.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including fluency in English.
• Strong technical apparel knowledge, including fit processes, garment construction, patternmaking, grading, specifications, tech packs, PLM/PDM systems, sourcing, and manufacturing.
• Proactive approach to identifying root causes of fit, construction, and technical issues and developing practical, value-driven solutions.
• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to manage multiple fit calendars, sample-review timelines, and deadlines.
• High degree of agility and adaptability, including ability to work under pressure and navigate change with flexibility.
• Growth mindset and enthusiasm for learning new tools, improving fit processes, and solving complex technical challenges.

Nice To Haves

• Additional language skills.
• Working knowledge of PLM/PDM systems.
• Exposure to 2D and 3D fit tools such as Gerber, Lectra, Browzwear, CLO, VStitcher, or Optitex.
• Interest in fit innovation, digital tools, technical problem-solving, and product excellence.
• Passion for getting outside and living the outdoor lifestyle.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end fit execution for complex apparel products from concept through bulk production approval.
• Own fit strategy for high-risk, high-profile, and innovation-driven product categories.
• Ensure products meet fit intent, measurement standards, grading expectations, size consistency, construction feasibility, and consumer-comfort objectives.
• Translate designer intent into fit direction for 3D and physical prototypes; recommend pattern, proportion, construction, and grading solutions to reduce approval timelines and fit iterations.
• Own fit specifications, measurement accuracy, fit comments and corrections, size-set records, style files, samples, and production-ready fit documentation.
• Use blocks, fit guardrails, and standards to ensure alignment and consistency across the Technical Design team.
• Lead fit reviews, size-set reviews, risk assessments, and fit-readiness activities with cross-functional partners.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in fit standards, sizes, pattern impact, grading principles, size consistency, and technical execution.
• Collaborate with Product Development when construction, materials, or workmanship adjustments affect fit.
• Resolve complex fit issues, evaluate pattern and grading risks, and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Partner with Technical Design, Standards, Product Development, Sourcing, vendors, and manufacturers to align fit intent, measurement requirements, construction impact, timelines, and production readiness.
• Own communication with sourcing and vendors about fit direction, fit comments, measurement requirements, size-set execution, and fit-risk resolution for seasonal styles.
• Support vendor capability discussions, factory onboarding, and advancement of fit execution best practices.
• Identify and lead process improvements in fit standards, size-set reviews, grading alignment, calendar optimization, and special projects with minimal supervision.
• Mentor Associate and Mid-level Fit Specialists and support onboarding, technical training, and team alignment.
• Collaborate with Technical Design, Standards, Product Development, and Wear Testing teams to align priorities, ensure fit consistency, share expertise, and deliver products.
• Travel seasonally to overseas manufacturers to support fit execution, vendor alignment, size-set reviews, and production readiness.

Benefits

• The position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential.
• VF offers benefit programs; details are provided during the hiring process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior